PRIDE Black Student Alliance
Hamline University
CONSTITUTION
Article I
ORGANIZATION’S NAME and HISTORY
Section 1
The name of the organization will be known as PRIDE Black Student Alliance (herein after referred to as PRIDE BSA).
Section 2
Founded in 1969 as “Promoting Racial Identity, Dignity and Equality,” PRIDE Black Student Alliance (PRIDE) is an organization that serves as a support system for student members as well as an educational tool for the campus and community. Richard Jones, a sophomore at the time, was elected as the first president. From its’ inception, PRIDE represented and was inclusive of all students of color, as well as white students and international students.
In the spring of 2000, during Victoria Squire’s presidency, PRIDE was renamed PRIDE Black Student Alliance to reflect the groups focus and membership while staying connected to the original name and concept of the group. The acronym is no longer part of the official name, but used in historical references. Although membership remains diverse, PRIDE’s main focus is with African American Issues.
Article II
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The primary goals and objectives of PRIDE BSA are as follows:
Section 1
To support, foster and enhance the academic, cultural, intellectual and social experiences of Black Students at Hamline University;
Section 2
To educate the Hamline University community about specific issues that affect Black communities;
Section 3
To promote awareness of the contributions and accomplishments that Black people have made to the historical, political and cultural development of this nation;
Section 4
To develop a sense of community on campus and in surrounding communities; and
Section 5
To serve as a resource for promoting diversity and multiculturalism on campus.
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION’S MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
Membership in the organization is open to any Hamline University undergraduate student. PRIDE BSA will not discriminate in membership on the basis of age, gender, race, social status, political affiliation, physical/mental impairment, religious affiliation, and/ or sexual orientation.
Section 2
Active membership will be defined as attendance at a minimum of 50 percent of the organization’s general body meetings and a minimum of 50 percent of PRIDE BSA events.
Section 3
Any student who meets the membership requirements, as stipulated in Article III, Section 1, will be eligible to cast a vote in any election and/ or decision-making process. In addition, voting members must also support the fundamental principles and objectives of PRIDE BSA as stated in Article II.
Section 4
PRIDE BSA’s Executive Board and advisor have the power to design an alternative voting process if the requirements do not allow at least ten general body members to cast votes.
ARTICLE IV
PRIDE BSA EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1
The Executive Board will comprise the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Black History Month Coordinator, African Student Liaison, Student Congress Representative and Student Organization Committee Representative.
Section 2
The Executive Board will be elected during the last general body meeting in March. The term of office will be from April 15 to April 14 of the following year. No Executive Board member can serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position. In the event that any Executive Board member decides to relinquish his/her position, a successor will be elected from the general body members (outlined in Article III, section 1). The successor may finish only the term of his/her predecessor. In the event that said term is less than 50 percent of an academic year, the successor will be eligible to serve two full consecutive terms in the same Executive Board position.
Section 3
The offices of President, Vice President and Treasurer must be held by full-time undergraduate Black students. All other executive board positions must be held by full-time undergraduate students.
In addition to his/her specific responsibilities, each Executive Board member is expected to serve as a liaison to one of the organization’s five standing committees, as outlined in Article VI.
Section 4
Members of the Executive Board are expected to attend all general body and Executive Board meetings.
Section 5
With the consent of the Executive Board, the President will have the authority to make appointments to all Executive Board positions, which become vacant until a vote can be taken by the general body membership. Any interim appointments will be filled only by Executive Board members.
Section 6
The chain of command for the organization will be President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Public Relations Officer.
ARTICLE V
POWERS & DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Section 1: PRESIDENT
The President will be the senior executive officer of PRIDE BSA, with the responsibilities of:
A. Administering and coordinating the policies of PRIDE BSA;
B. Presiding over all meetings of the organization and Executive Board;
C. Appointing members and chairpersons of all ad hoc committees;
D. Serving as PRIDE BSA liaison between other organizations and as the primary spokesperson for all functions unless otherwise stated;
E. Preparing an annual budget, in coordination with the Vice President and Treasurer;
F. Serving as an accountable party for all of the organization’s funds, along with the Treasurer;
G. Approving and/or signing all monies, checks and vouchers, along with the Treasurer; and
H. Serving as the liaison between the Black Alumni Association and PRIDE BSA.
Section 2: VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President will be second in the chain of command, and has the following responsibilities:
A. Assuming the role of the President in the President’s absence;
B. Overseeing all of PRIDE BSA’s committees and ensuring their proper functioning;
C. Assisting the Public Relations Officer in establishing relationships with A.C.T.C schools, other local colleges & universities, and various community service organizations;
D. Serving as Election Committee chairperson, provided that the Vice President is not a candidate;
E. Preparing the annual budget, in coordination with the President and Treasurer; and,
F. Assisting the President with his/her responsibilities.
Section 3: TREASURER
The Treasurer will be third in the chain of command, and has the following responsibilities:
A. Presiding over the meetings in the absence of the President and Vice President;
B. Keeping all of the organization’s financial records;
C. Serving as an accountable party for all of the organization’s funds, along with the President;
D. Coordinating organization’s fund raising events;
E. Approving and/or signing all monies, checks and vouchers, along with the President;
F. Preparing and presenting a semi-annual written financial report to the Executive Board and general membership, informing them of PRIDE BSA’s current financial condition (one report per semester);
G. Ensuring that the financial operations of PRIDE BSA remain within the constraints of the budget and adhere to the standards of the Hamline University Student Congress; and,
H. Preparing an annual budget request, in coordination with the President and Vice President.
Section 4: SECRETARY
The Secretary will be fourth in the chain of command, and has the following responsibilities:
A. Presiding over meetings in the absence of the President, Vice President and Treasurer;
B. Recording, printing and distributing all agendas and minutes of the meetings;
C. Keeping a record of all members on attendance at meetings and events;
D. Handling all correspondence of PRIDE BSA on behalf of the organization and the Executive Board; and,
E. Supervising and updating all organization records, as well as maintaining two permanent files. One file (the original) will consist of both written and computerized records that will be kept in the PRIDE BSA Office. A copy of this file will be maintained by the secretary at a site other than the PRIDE BSA Office, and given to the new incoming Secretary;
Section 5: PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
The Public Relations Officer will be fifth in the chain of command, and has the following responsibilities:
A. Presiding over meetings in the absence of the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary;
B. Notifying members of all meeting dates and times;
C. Promoting PRIDE BSA’s goals, missions, and activities to the Hamline University
and surrounding communities;
D. Assisting with planning and arranging organization events and activities;
E. Establishing relationships with schools in the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC), other local colleges and universities and various community organizations, with assistance from the Vice President;
F. Preparing an organization scrapbook containing clippings, pictures, etc., of PRIDE BSA’s activities; and maintaining a PRIDE BSA bulleting board;
G. Coordinating the research of the history of the PRIDE BSA organization; and
H. Serving as the secondary liaison to PRIDE BSA and the Black Alumni Association.
Section 6: Black History Month Coordinator
The Black History Month Coordinator’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:
A. Planning, coordinating and implementing BHM event during February. The goals of this event will be to raise awareness about and celebrate the history, culture and experiences of people of African descent;
B. Coordinating the events hosted/held on during the Black History Month;
C. Reserving spaces on or off campus for events;
D. Keeping a record of events held during the Black History Month;
E. Creating a calendar in conjunction with the executive board and BHM committee members; and
F. Purchasing supplies for the whole month.
Section 7: Appointed Positions
The following Executive Board positions are filled through the new elected Executive Board: African Student Liaison, HUSC Representative, and SOC/MA Representative
Section 8: African Student Liaison
The Liaison will be the link between African and Black American students, with the responsibilities of:
A. Coordinating events to build stronger relationships between African and American Black students;
B. Reporting to the executive board the needs of African students;
C. Uniting African students with Black students by creating a buddy system pairing up African students with domestic Black students;
D. Promoting PRIDE BSA goals, mission and activities to African students; and
E. Making arrangements for the Pan African Student Leadership Conference (Pan-African Student Conference Coordinator).
Section 9: HUSC Representative
The HUSC Representative will be the link between PRIDE BSA and HUSC:
A. Attending all HUSC General Assembly meetings
B. Attending Fall and Spring Caucus
C. Informing the Executive Board about what is happening in HUSC and visa versa
D. Attending all Executive Board and General Body Meetings
Section 10: Multicultural Alliance/ Student Organization Committee Representative
This representative will be the link between PRIDE BSA and the Multicultural Alliance and HUSC Student Organization Committee committees:
A. Attending the monthly MA and SOC meetings
B. Relaying information from PRIDE to other organizations
C. Informing the Executive Board about what is happening in MA and SOC meetings and Visa Versa
D. Attending all Executive and General Body Meetings
ARTICLE VI
PRIDE BSA COMMITTEES
In addition to any ad hoc committees deemed necessary by the Executive Board, PRIDE BSA will have five standing committees. The standing committees are responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of activities and programs that meet the goals and objectives of the organization. All active members are eligible to participate in the committee(s) of their choice.
Section 1: BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMMITTEE
The Black History Month Committee is responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of events during the month of February. The goals of these events will be to raise awareness about and celebrate the history, culture, and experiences of people of African descent.
Section 2: POLITICAL AWARENESS COMMITTEE
The Political Awareness Committee is responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of events that educate about the political, cultural and social issues that specifically affect the Black community.
Section 3: LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The Leadership & Development Committee is responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of events that support, foster and develop the leadership skills of Black students.
Section 4: COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE
The Community Service Committee is responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of events that create relationships with and provide service to Hamline’s surrounding communities.
Section 5: SOCIAL COMMITTEE
The Social Committee is responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of events that develop a sense of community among Black students.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
Section 1: GENERAL BODY MEETINGS
Unless the calendar does not allow, there will be a minimum of two (2) PRIDE BSA general body meetings per month. Additional meetings may be called by the Executive Board when deemed necessary.
Section 2: EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS
There will be a minimum of two/three Executive Board meetings per month. Additional meetings may be called by the President.
Section 3: COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Committee meetings will be held as often as deemed necessary by the chairpersons and memberships of the respective committees.
ARTICLE VIII
ELECTION PROCESS
Section 1
The election of the Executive Board members will be held during the last general body meeting in March.
Section 2
Nominations of prospective Executive Board candidates will be taken at the general body meeting directly preceding the election meeting.
Section 3
All candidates will be notified of their nomination(s) at least seven (7) days before the election meeting.
Section 4
The Vice President will serve as the Election Committee chairperson. In the event that the Vice President is a candidate, an Executive Board member who is not a candidate will be selected to serve as the Election Committee chairperson. In the event that all Executive Board members are candidates, a general body member will be selected by the Executive Board to serve as Election Committee chairperson.
Section 5
The election committee’s responsibilities will be to coordinate the election process, tabulate ballots, and notify all candidates of the results within 24 hours of the election.
ARTICLE IX
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
Section 1
PRIDE BSA’s Executive Board reserves the right to relieve a committee chairperson of his/her duties if it is determined that the chairperson has done any of the following: performed his/her duties with gross negligence in performance of duties, misrepresented PRIDE BSA, and/or been noncompliant to the guidelines of the constitution.
Section 2
An Executive Board member will be removed from office by impeachment for gross negligence in performing of duties, abuse of official power, the misrepresentation of PRIDE BSA, and/or not adhering to the guidelines of the constitution. Impeachment requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the general body membership present.
Section 3
Written charge specifying the violation committed must be submitted to the Executive Board in order to begin the impeachment process. An Impeachment Committee, comprised of two (2) Executive Board members and three (3) general body members selected by PRIDE BSA’s advisor, will be formed. The impeachment Committee will investigate the validity of the charges and render a decision concerning impeachment within fourteen (14) days of receiving a written complaint. If the committee decides that the impeachment process should continue, the member(s) involved must relinquish their duties at that time.
Section 4
An impeachment hearing will be held no more than fourteen (14) days following the Impeachment Committee’s decision to proceed. The member(s), within five (5) days of the proceeding, may request and be granted extra time to prepare his/her defense.
Section 5
The impeachment hearing will be conducted by PRIDE BSA’s advisor. Upon acquittal or conviction of the party (ies), the results will be presented to the voting members at the next scheduled meeting. At the time, the committee’s decision will be read and the accused may address the membership before a vote is taken. The final vote will be made by PRIDE BSA’s active voting membership. A two-thirds (2/3) vote is required in order to remove an Executive Board officer from his/her office.
Article X
RESIGNATION
Section 1
Any officer wishing to resign from his/her position must give a one-month type-written notice.
Section 2
The officer who is resigning must give notice to Executive Board at an Executive Board meeting.
The officer must meet with PRIDE President and PRIDE Advisor to discuss resignation in detail and to tie up loose ends regarding duties associated with the position. In the event the resignation is that of the President, he or she must meet with the advisor and the next person in the chain of the command.
ARTICLE XI
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDNMENT AND RATIFICATION
Section 1: AMENDMENT
This constitution will be reviewed, amended or repealed every two years during the Fall Semester. Changes and additions to this constitution may be proposed by any general body member during any general body meeting. A Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by the Secretary, will review proposed changes and additions to this constitution and report said proposals to the general body.
Section 2: RATIFICATION
Ratification of a new constitution, or an amendment of this constitution, will occur by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the general membership. The Constitutional Review Committee will announce the proposed ratification at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting by public notice.
Section 3: BY-LAWS
By-Laws consistent with this constitution may be enacted and amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the general body members, provided that ten (10) day notice is given to all members before the meeting at which such action is taken.
Section 4: NEXT RATIFICATION
This constitution was ratified on March 22, 2008, and is up for ratification during the 2009-2010 academic year.
